Visa 482: Your Gateway to Australian Employment

The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) allows Australian employers to address labor shortages by sponsoring skilled foreign workers. This visa replaced the former 457 visa in March 2018 and features distinct streams based on occupation and intended stay duration. Understanding the requirements, costs, and application process is essential for both employers and potential applicants.

Key Takeaways About Visa 482 Australia

The 482 visa has replaced the previous 457 visa program in Australia
There are three streams: Short-Term, Medium-Term, and Labour Agreement
Processing times typically range from 2-4 months for complete applications
Employers must be approved sponsors and demonstrate genuine need
Applicants must meet skills, English language, and health requirements
Visa costs vary between AUD$1,265 and $2,645 plus additional fees
Medium-term stream holders may have pathways to permanent residency

Understanding the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa 482 Requirements

The temporary skill shortage visa 482 Australia requirements include several key components that both employers and applicants must satisfy. For employers, they must first become approved sponsors, which involves demonstrating their business is legally operating and has a genuine need for overseas workers. They must also show commitment to employing Australians first through labor market testing.

For applicants, the requirements include:

Having skills that match an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
At least two years of relevant work experience
Meeting English language proficiency standards (an IELTS score of at least 5.0, with minimum 4.5 in each test component, or equivalent)
Satisfying health and character checks
Having health insurance coverage while in Australia

The visa 482 Australia eligible jobs are determined by the Department of Home Affairs through three lists: the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). Your occupation's placement on these lists determines which stream of the visa you can apply for and the maximum duration of your stay.

The Three Streams of Visa 482 Australia

The temporary work visa 482 Australia program is divided into three distinct streams, each serving different purposes and offering varying benefits:

Short-term stream: This option is for employers recruiting workers in occupations listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The short term visa 482 Australia allows stays of up to two years, with the possibility of one onshore renewal for an additional two years. This stream does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency.

Medium-term stream: For occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the medium term visa 482 Australia permits stays of up to four years. The significant advantage of this stream is that after three years, visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

Labour Agreement stream: This applies to employers who have negotiated a formal labour agreement with the Australian government. These agreements are typically used when standard visa programs don't meet an employer's needs or for specific industries with unique requirements. The visa duration and conditions depend on the terms negotiated in the labour agreement.

Each stream has specific implications for both employers and visa applicants, influencing everything from application processes to long-term immigration strategies.

Application Process and Costs for Visa 482

Learning how to apply for visa 482 Australia involves understanding the three-step process and associated costs. The application unfolds as follows:

Step 1: Sponsorship application - The employer must apply to become an approved sponsor, demonstrating they are a legally operating business with good standing. This step costs AUD$420 for standard businesses.

Step 2: Nomination application - The employer nominates a specific position they need to fill, proving they've conducted labor market testing and are offering market salary rates. The visa 482 Australia cost for nomination is AUD$330.

Step 3: Visa application - The prospective employee applies for the visa itself. The visa 482 Australia cost 2023 for applicants is:

Short-term stream: AUD$1,265
Medium-term stream: AUD$2,645

Additional costs to consider include:

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: Between AUD$1,200-1,800 per year depending on business turnover
Health examinations: Approximately AUD$300 per person
Character certificates: Varies by country
English language testing: Approximately AUD$340

The visa 482 Australia application online is submitted through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount system, which allows for document uploads and application tracking. Many applicants and employers work with registered migration agents to navigate the complex process, though this adds to the overall cost.

Employer Sponsorship and Processing Timeframes

Securing an employer sponsored visa 482 Australia requires finding a business willing and able to sponsor your position. The 482 visa Australia sponsorship companies typically need to demonstrate:

They are legally established and operating
They have no adverse information against them
They can meet training requirements for Australian staff
The position offers market salary rates
The role cannot be filled by Australian workers (through labor market testing)

Finding potential sponsors can be approached through:

Applying directly to companies with known sponsorship history
Using specialized job boards for sponsored positions
Networking with industry professionals
Working with recruitment agencies specializing in sponsored roles

The visa 482 Australia processing time varies depending on several factors. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 75% of applications are processed within:

Sponsorship: 4-6 weeks
Nomination: 4-8 weeks
Visa application: 4-11 weeks